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Developed by: Ad Hoc Committee on Physical Demands of Anesthesiologists
Original Approval: October 15, 2025
Injuries to anesthesiologists are occurring more frequently (1) and affect the workforce. Departments, groups, and facilities must have policies, procedures, and available resources or education to reduce the potential for physician injury. Clear guidance for anesthesiologists on actions after suffering an injury and the subsequent return to work is necessary. The Ad Hoc Committee on the Physical Demands of Anesthesiologists (AHC) attempted to collect policies or statements on the anesthesiologist injured on the job or return to work after injury and found very few.
It is the shared responsibility of facilities and anesthesia groups or departments to ensure adequate staffing to assist anesthesiologists with tasks such as lifting and patient transport, to maintain a safe work environment. Anesthesiologists may suffer slips and falls, sprains and strains, blows and bruises, lacerations, burns, and head injuries (2) in unsafe procedural locations. Departments, groups or facilities should provide ergonomic training for staff, including anesthesiologists, on avoiding awkward positions, maintaining proper body mechanics and posture, as well as safe patient handling (3). Recommendations for medical facility managers on evaluating and improving the ergonomics of anesthesia workspaces can prevent work-related injuries. The planning and design of anesthetizing locations should involve clinical anesthesiologists familiar with procedures done in those spaces. Older anesthesiologists, a growing percentage of the workforce, are more likely to be injured than their younger colleagues. This statement recommends special attention to protecting vulnerable anesthesiologists from workplace hazards and injury.
A department, facility or group should have policies and procedures for relieving an anesthesiologist who is injured or needs medical attention, as accrediting organizations often require. Anesthesiologists should be educated on proper injury documentation, reporting, evaluation and treatment. Reporting of all injuries and unsafe working conditions should be mandatory without risk of retaliation (4). The requirement for reporting is advised not just for the benefit of the injured anesthesiologist but also for identification of hazardous conditions that may harm others.
Anesthesiologists should be encouraged to seek prompt evaluation or medical care for acute injuries with a visit to a physician, urgent care, or emergency department. Even a minor injury may prevent an anesthesiologist from performing essential tasks such as the ability to place intravenous access or intubate. In addition, minor injuries may progress over time to become a chronic condition that requires time away from work, affecting the workforce. An injured anesthesiologist, especially one who is unable to work, must often deal with other stressors, including loss of sleep, deterioration of personal relationships, and feelings of blame and stigmatization. These individuals should be offered support when needed (4).
This statement also recommends that departments, groups and facilities provide resources and/or education for anesthesiologists on various ways to maintain income while unable to work. These may include family medical leave (4), workers' compensation, or disability insurance; as often mandated by state or federal laws. Education and resources should be available to residents and young anesthesiologists on disability insurance since there are benefits to purchasing policies early in an anesthesiologist’s career.
Depending on the type of injury, treatment received, and extent of recovery, some anesthesiologists may require and should receive reasonable accommodations to return to work (4). The department, group, or facility should have resources for injured anesthesiologists and reference state or federal policies that may apply to them. Anesthesiologists should be informed about the available resources and where they are located or posted in the workplace.
Summary of Recommendations:
To preserve the anesthesia workforce, all anesthesiologists should be protected from workplace hazards and injury. Institutions and anesthesia groups or departments share the responsibility of ensuring adequate staffing to assist anesthesiologists with tasks such as lifting and transporting patients and maintaining a safe work environment.
Departments, groups, and facilities should have policies or procedures for relieving an injured worker, confirming they receive proper medical care, and mandatory reporting of work injuries or unsafe conditions without retaliation.
Resources, education, and recommendations on good ergonomics in the workplace and injury prevention should be available to anesthesiologists from departments, groups or facilities.
Anesthesiologists should have access to information in the workplace on workers' compensation, disability insurance, accommodations and return to work after injury.
References:
Curated by: Governance
Last updated by: Governance
Date of last update: October 15, 2025
You do not have to make a payment at this time, but you can reach out to your practice/group leader to find out when they plan to pay your dues. Email or call the ASA Support team for assistance: (630) 912-2552 or info@asahq.org.
